Tay Money is back, teaming up with Rob49 for a spiritual successor to “WTHelly.” Kaash Paige is celebrating her signing to Rostrum Records with a new song. Kali Flower continues introducing her Lost Girl SZN. Zillionaire Doe is getting to it, continuing to push his D Boi Dreams album with more music. Then we got Dallas newcomers Millkzy and Yakiyn making noise with their singles.
On July 17, Pierce Washington released his six-song EP, Folkmore, a sonic tapestry of storytelling, soul and southern roots. We previously raved about Washington's "Mama Nem," which makes it on the EP. “Biloxi” is co-composed with Madlib, a reminder of artistry, purpose and the strangers who help us remember who we are.
Here’s a quick round-up of songs we've been listening to lately.
Tay Money, Rob49 - “Snow Bunny”
We’re big supporters of Tay Money. She’s back with “Snow Bunny,” a song for the bad bitches and loving the finer things in life. Rob49 matches the high energy with his distinctive bark. These two clearly have chemistry, as Tay explains they’ve been locked in for like five years and calls him her brother. “Man, Tay so turnt you know I had to come through,” Rob49 tells us. This is hard.
Kaash Paige - “2BADBITCHES”
Following her departure from Def Jam in 2023, Dallas singer/songwriter Kaash Paige signs with Rostrum Records, the label that once housed Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa. Her first release on the label is “2BADBITCHES,” a vibey, pitch-shifting song about the women in her studio that has her singing like Drake, noting that she’s extremely excited about being consistent with her music. “Also this record ‘2BADBITCHES’ isn’t my direct sound or the sound I’m going for,” she tweeted. “I make art in phases of my life. That’ll be the story told with these next drops. The R&B project will wrap it all up.” The label confirms Paige will be dropping an EP in August, followed by a full-length project later this year.
Yakiyn, Kal Banx - “Backboard”
Yakiyn is another rapper to watch. He’s been on the radar of Kids Take Over, a hip-hop platform for the youth. The Dallas artist is creating his own lane in alternative music, comparing his sound to “gumbo” by drawing from hip-hop, R&B, electronic, indie and more. Produced by North Texas hitmaker Kal Banx, “Backboard” is something you would hear in between NBA commercial breaks after a monstrous dunk. Lone Star Yak shoots the video for “Backboard” in Paris, bringing that feel of both underground and luxury.
Millkzy - “consofbeingthenarrator”
Another artist making waves is 21-year-old R&B and hip-hop artist Millkzy, who was featured in our Fourth of July playlist. Originally from St. Louis but now repping Dallas, he has developed a reputation for bringing back floetry with vulnerable and confessional lyrics. His song “consofbeingthenarrator” has emotionally charged storytelling about hating to be the person who has to tell people what he sees. His role in music is an educator, but sometimes that can take a traumatizing toll if he's not careful.
Kali Flower - “Lost”
Kali Flower has begun introducing her newest era, Lost Girl SZN, a moody, intimate shift from her last chapter (Fuccgirl SZN) through her soothing singles. On “Lost,” we’re letting feelings of being stuck and waiting for reciprocal love linger. Kali Flower is hitting the theme of cycling aimlessness before finding yourself right on target.
Zillionaire Doe - “Get to It”
Anytime Zillionaire Doe drops a song, it motivates you to hustle harder, beat the road and stack up chips. Play this song before you start your day, and get to it. Quit playing.
Headhuncho Amir - “10 Figures”
Doe’s New Dallas collaborator, Headhuncho Amir, is also giving us the blueprint on success with “10 Figures.” This might be the first in Dallas Observer history that our paper has made it in a rap music video. Keep going, Amir!
Pierce Washington - “Biloxi”
Pierce Washington is a world builder, taking the lives he’s documented and the things he’s seen from his communities, putting them in his music. “Biloxi,” named after the city in Mississippi, is one of those tracks you need to throw on while riding in a Cadillac DeVille or some shit. He recalls a life-changing encounter at a Mississippi diner. It’s southern soul, with a balance of good raps and singing, that bolsters this track’s replayability. We highly recommend playing Washington's entire Folklore EP. You can stream it here.
